Ford Announces Extension Of 'At Least Another Year' To Its V8 Supercars Contract

Ford will "stay in V8 Supercars for at least another year after ending long-running speculation on the eve of Sunday's Bathurst 1000 that it would pull out at the end of this season," according to Mark Fogarty of THE AGE. In an "unexpected announcement" at the Mount Panorama circuit, Ford Australia president Bob Graziano confirmed that the company "had renewed its backing of Ford Performance Racing, which has been the Blue Oval's main factory-backed team for a decade." But Graziano did not "comment on the length of Ford's commitment or the level of funding, other than that the partnership would continue next year." Graziano said, "We're not talking about the specifics of the agreement. That's between Ford and FPR" (THE AGE, 10/13). The AAP's Laine Clark reported the "great Ford-Holden Australian motorsport rivalry was on borrowed time -- until Saturday's stunning announcement" just minutes before the Bathurst 1000 "top 10 qualifying." Ford's association with V8s has "amassed a total of 40 race wins, nearly 120 race podiums and more than 40 pole positions." Ford Performance Racing CEO Tim Edwards said, "Everyone at the team is of course very pleased to see our close relationship with Ford continue and to keep representing the company as its official factory team in V8 Supercars" (AAP, 10/12).

HOLDEN FANS REJOICE: In Sydney, James Phelps reported "even Holden fans clapped and cheered as Ford ended months of speculation they would quit the sport by announcing a new sponsorship deal with Ford Performance Racing." One of "the thousands draped in red" said, "You need someone to hate" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 10/12).